JP2002101479A - Remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control system provided with a wired remote controller fixedly installed that can easily operate the remote controller even from a site apart from the remote controller. SOLUTION: The remote control system is provided with a mobile auxiliary remote controller 6 that outputs an infrared ray signal representing an operation command of a remote controller 3 through the operation of operation switches 21a-21c and with infrared ray reception sections 5, 11 that receive the infrared ray signal. A circuit unit 13 built in the remote controller 3 is connected to the infrared ray reception sections 5, 11 and outputs command information in response to the operation command denoted by the infrared ray signal received by the infrared ray reception sections 5, 11 to a main body controller 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system for operating equipment such as a hot water supply bath apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a device such as a hot water supply bath device, a remote controller for performing a desired operation of the device is connected via a communication cable to a main body controller which controls the operation of the device, and the remote controller is connected to an appropriate place indoors. 2. Description of the Related Art A remote control system that is installed in a remote control has been known.

For example, in a hot water supply bath apparatus, a remote control device is installed in a kitchen, a bathroom, or the like. When the user operates the operation panel of the remote control device, ON / OFF of the operation of the entire hot water supply bath apparatus, setting of the operation mode of the bath apparatus (automatic hot water operation, additional heating operation, etc.), and setting of the hot water supply temperature are performed. It is possible to perform operations for setting the operation state of the hot water supply bath apparatus, such as setting, setting the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, setting the amount of hot water in the bathtub, and the like. In this case, when the operation panel is operated, the remote control device outputs operation information of the remote control device to the main body controller from a circuit unit incorporated in the remote control device via a communication cable. Then, the main body controller controls the operation of the device according to the operation information.

[0004] A remote control device of this type of remote control system is usually fixedly installed in a suitable place indoors. For example, a remote control device of a hot water supply bath device is fixedly installed in a kitchen, a washroom, a bathroom, or the like.

However, in such a remote control system in which the remote control device is fixedly installed at a specific location, there is a disadvantage that the user cannot operate the equipment unless the user goes to the installation location of the remote control device. There is.

On the other hand, in order to solve such inconveniences, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2712832, a remote control device is of a portable wireless type, and communication between the remote control device and the main body controller is wireless. There is known one that performs the operation by radio waves.

However, in such a remote control system in which communication between the remote control device and the main body controller is performed by radio waves, a function of transmitting and receiving radio waves to the remote control device while securing the same function as that of a conventional fixed installation type remote control device. Must be prepared. For this reason, there has been an inconvenience that the size of the remote control device is increased together with its weight, and it is difficult for the user to easily carry the remote control device. Also,
Communication by radio waves between the remote controller and the main body controller is also subject to legal restrictions, and there is also an inconvenience that the design of the remote controller system is easily restricted.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has been made in consideration of the above background. Provided is a remote control system capable of easily operating the remote control device even from a place.

[0009]

The remote control system of the present invention for achieving the above object has two modes. The first aspect is a main body controller for controlling the operation of the device, and is connected to the main body controller via a communication cable, and outputs command information for defining an operation state of the device to the main body controller by a predetermined operation. In a remote control system including a remote control device, a portable auxiliary remote control device that outputs an infrared signal representing an operation command of the remote control device by a predetermined operation, and an infrared signal output from the auxiliary remote control device are received. An infrared receiver connected to a circuit unit of the remote controller, wherein the circuit unit of the remote controller transmits the command information corresponding to an operation command represented by an infrared signal received by the infrared receiver. It is configured to output to the main body controller.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user operates the auxiliary remote controller by pointing the output direction of the infrared signal from the auxiliary remote controller to the infrared receiver, thereby operating the remote controller. Is given to the circuit unit of the remote controller via the infrared receiver. At this time, the circuit unit of the remote control device outputs command information corresponding to the operation command represented by the given infrared signal to the main controller.

Therefore, the user can remotely control the remote controller by operating the auxiliary remote controller. In this case, the auxiliary remote control device requires an infrared signal transmission circuit, and the transmission circuit can have a smaller and lighter configuration than a radio wave transmission / reception circuit.
In addition, since setting of various various operating states of the devices can be performed by operating the remote control device as needed, the auxiliary remote control device does not necessarily need to have all the functions of the remote control device. Instead, it is possible to limit the functions of the auxiliary remote controller to, for example, the main functions of the remote controller. For this reason, the auxiliary remote controller can be made small and lightweight, and the user can easily carry the auxiliary remote controller.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily operate the remote control device even from a place remote from the remote control device, and to provide a remote control system excellent in convenience.

According to a second aspect of the remote control system of the present invention, a main body controller for controlling the operation of the equipment is connected to the main body controller via a communication cable, and the operation state of the equipment is defined by a predetermined operation. A remote control system including a remote control device for outputting command information to the main controller, a voice receiving unit provided in connection with a circuit unit of the remote control device for receiving voice, and the voice receiving unit receiving the voice information. A voice recognition unit provided in the circuit unit for identifying and recognizing a voice representing an operation command of the remote control device among the voices, wherein the circuit unit of the remote control device includes When a voice representing an operation command is recognized, the command information corresponding to the operation command represented by the recognized voice is sent to the main controller. And it is characterized in that it is configured to output.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the user issues a voice representing an operation command of the remote controller to the voice receiver, the voice signal is transmitted from the voice receiver to the remote controller. Given to the circuit unit,
The voice is recognized by voice recognition means of the circuit unit. At this time, the circuit unit of the remote control device is
The command information corresponding to the operation command represented by the recognized voice is output to the main body controller.

Therefore, the user can remotely control the remote control device by his / her own voice. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the remote control device can be easily operated even from a place remote from the remote control device, and a remote control system excellent in convenience can be provided.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention,
Each of the infrared receiving unit and the audio receiving unit may be provided in the main body of the remote control device. Preferably, they are connected via a communication cable.

According to this, the infrared receiving unit and the audio receiving unit can be installed in a place far away from the remote control device (for example, a room different from the room where the remote control device is installed). It is possible to remotely control the remote control device by operating the auxiliary remote control device carried by the user (first mode) or by the user's voice (second mode) even from a convenient place. .

In this case, the infrared receiver and the voice receiver may be installed at a plurality of locations.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, when there are a plurality of types of command information that can be output from the remote controller to the main body controller, all of these types of command information are required. It can be generated by operating the remote control device accordingly. Therefore, an operation command corresponding to all the command information can be given to the remote control device by operating the auxiliary remote control device (first mode) or by a user's voice (second mode). It is not necessary.

Therefore, in the first aspect of the present invention, the infrared signal which can be output by the auxiliary remote control device includes a predetermined specific type of command information of the plurality of types of command information from the remote control device. It is preferable that the signal is an infrared signal representing an operation command to be output to the main body controller.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the voice recognizable by the voice recognizing means may include a predetermined specific type of command information among the plurality of types of command information from the remote control device to the main body. Preferably, the sound is output to the controller.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The type of operation command that can be given to the remote control device by the infrared signal from the auxiliary remote control device is limited to an operation command corresponding to a specific type of command information among the plurality of types of command information, and the function of the auxiliary remote control device is reduced. The functions are limited to some of the functions of the remote control device.
Therefore, the number of controls and the like required for the auxiliary remote control device is reduced, and the auxiliary remote control device can be made smaller and lighter, which makes it easier for the user to carry the auxiliary remote control device. The ease of use can be improved.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the type of operation command that can be given to the remote controller by voice by the user is a part of the specific type of command information among the plurality of types of command information. Limited to the corresponding operation command. Therefore, the number of types of voices that need to be recognized by the voice recognition unit of the remote control device can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the capacity of a memory for preliminarily storing the types of voice patterns to be recognized by the voice recognition unit and the processing capability of the voice recognition unit, and thus reduce the manufacturing cost of the remote control device. .

In the first and second aspects of the present invention,
When a certain user attempts to remotely control the remote control device by means of the auxiliary remote control device or voice, another user may have already directly operated the remote control device to perform a desired operation of the device. And in such a case,
There is a possibility that an operation command from a user who attempts to remotely operate the remote control device may interfere with an operation state of the remote control device by another person.

Therefore, in a first aspect of the present invention, the circuit unit of the remote control device includes means for recognizing an operation state of the device, and the operation command by the auxiliary remote control device based on the recognized operation state. Means for determining whether or not to output the command information according to

In a second aspect of the present invention, the circuit unit of the remote control device comprises: means for recognizing an operation state of the device; and a voice recognized by the voice recognition means based on the recognized operation state. Means for determining whether or not to output the command information in accordance with the operation command indicated by.

As described above, the circuit unit of the remote controller determines whether or not to execute the output of the command information according to the operation command by the auxiliary remote controller or the voice based on the operation state of the device, thereby enabling the remote controller to operate. It is possible to avoid that the operating state of the device by the directly operated user is impaired by the auxiliary remote control device or the operation command by voice.

In this case, when the circuit unit of the remote controller determines that the command information should not be output at least in response to the operation command by the auxiliary remote controller or voice, the use of the auxiliary remote controller is determined. It is preferable that a notifying unit for notifying a user or a user who emits a voice by, for example, a voice is provided in the remote controller.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the entire configuration of the remote control system of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote control device provided in the remote control system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a remote control system of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an auxiliary remote control device provided in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, the remote control system according to the present embodiment is, for example, a remote control system in a hot water supply bath device not shown. This remote control system includes a main body controller 1 for controlling the overall operation of the hot water supply bath apparatus.
Control device 3 connected to communication line 2 via communication cable 2
And a plurality of infrared receivers 5 connected to the remote controller 3 via a communication cable 4, and an auxiliary remote controller 6 for transmitting an infrared signal to the infrared receiver 5.

In this case, although not shown in detail, the main body controller 1 is mounted on a main body casing which is installed outdoors, for example, containing a gas burner, various electromagnetic valves and the like. The remote control device 3 is fixedly installed on a wall of a kitchen or a bathroom. In addition, the plurality of infrared receiving units 5 are fixedly installed, for example, on walls of different rooms (living room, study room, etc.) different from the installation location of the remote control device 3. Further, the auxiliary remote control device 6 can be freely carried by the user.

The main body controller 1 is composed of an electronic circuit unit including a microcomputer (not shown), and supplies hot water based on a predetermined program or command information given from the remote controller 3 via the communication cable 4. Controls the operation of bath equipment. In this case, the command information given from the remote control device 3 to the main body controller 1 defines the operation state of the hot water supply bath device, for example, a set value of a hot water supply temperature to a kitchen or a bathroom, a hot water amount of a bathtub (not shown). The data includes a set value of the water level, a set value of the hot water temperature of the bathtub, and an operation mode (operation mode) to be executed by the hot water supply bath apparatus. The main body controller 1 also provides information on the operating state of the hot-water bath apparatus under the control (information on whether or not the hot-water bath apparatus is operating, information on what kind of operation is being performed, and the like). ) Is output to the remote controller 3 as appropriate.

The remote control device 3 has an operation section 9 having a plurality of operation switches 8 arranged in a housing 7 thereof, an operation state of a hot water supply bath, a set value of a hot water supply temperature, and a set value of a hot water amount of a bathtub (not shown). An indicator 10 for displaying the temperature of the bathtub,
An infrared receiver 11 for receiving an infrared signal transmitted by the auxiliary remote controller 6 at a location relatively close to the remote controller 3 such as a room where the remote controller 3 is installed, and a speaker 12 for performing voice notification, which will be described later. Is provided.

The operation section 9 is provided for the user to operate the operation switch 8
Is operated by the user to specify (set) the operation mode (operation mode) of the hot water supply bath apparatus, the hot water supply temperature, the amount of hot water in the bathtub, the hot water temperature in the bathtub, and the like. In this case, the operation mode of the hot water supply bath apparatus that can be set by operating the operation switch 8 is, for example, “operation ON / OF” in which the operation of the hot water supply bath apparatus is set to a standby state or the operation is stopped.
F "," Automatic bath operation "that automatically heats and heats the bath water to the set bath temperature and the set hot water temperature," Built-in operation "that reheats the bathtub," Additional hot water for the bathtub " , And a lukewarm water operation that lubricates the temperature of the bathtub.

The operating state of the hot water supply bath device indicated by the display 10 is, for example, an ON / OFF state of the hot water supply bath device,
This is a running mode or the like during execution. In addition, the infrared receiver 11
Has the same structure as the plurality of infrared receivers 5, and converts received (received) infrared signals into electric signals corresponding thereto and outputs the electric signals.

The remote control device 3 includes the operation unit 8 and the like in the housing 7, while the housing 7 includes a circuit unit 13 as shown in FIG.

The circuit unit 13 includes a microcomputer 14 (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer 14), an input circuit 15 for inputting operation signal data of the operation switch 8 of the operation unit 9 to the microcomputer 14, and a housing of the remote controller 3. An infrared signal processing circuit 16 connected to the infrared receiver 11 provided on the body 7 via a lead wire or the like and connected to the plurality of infrared receivers 5 via a communication cable 4;
A communication circuit 17 for transmitting and receiving data (the command information and the like) between the microcomputer 14 and the main body controller 1 and driving circuits 18 and 19 for the microcomputer 14 to operate the display 10 and the speaker 12 respectively. ing.

In this case, the infrared signal received by the infrared receivers 11 and 5 from the auxiliary remote controller 6 is a signal representing an operation command of the remote controller 3, and the infrared signal processing circuit 16 transmits the infrared signal to the infrared receiver 11 or 5. Demodulates the operation command data represented by the infrared signal received by the microcomputer 1
4

The microcomputer 14 controls the input circuit 1
5, operation signal data of the operation switch 8 given from
Based on operation command data given from the infrared signal processing circuit 16, data on operation state information of the hot water supply device given from the main body controller 1 via the communication circuit 17, the display 10 and the speaker 11 based on a predetermined program and the like. Are executed via drive circuits 18 and 19, respectively, and processing such as outputting command information of the operation of the hot water supply bath apparatus to the main body controller 1 via the communication circuit 17 is executed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the auxiliary remote controller 6
Is a plurality (for example, three in this embodiment) of the housing 20.
, And an infrared transmitter 22 for transmitting an infrared signal toward the front of the auxiliary remote controller 6.

In this case, in the present embodiment, some of the functions that can be operated by the operation unit 9 of the remote controller 3, for example, “operation ON / OFF”, “automatic bath operation”, “additional heating operation”
Can be instructed by operating the operation switches 21a to 21b, respectively. These functions are frequently used functions in a hot water supply bath apparatus.

A circuit unit 23 as shown in FIG. 3 is provided inside the housing 20 of the auxiliary remote controller 6. That is, the circuit unit 23 includes an infrared signal generation circuit 25 to which operation signals of the operation switches 21 a to 21 c are given via the input circuit 24. The infrared signal generation circuit 25 includes operation switches 21a to 21a.
When an operation signal of 21c is given, an infrared signal representing an operation command of the remote controller 3 corresponding to the operation signal is generated, and transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 22.

Next, the operation of the remote control system of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

To remotely control the remote control device 3 from a remote place to turn on / off the operation of the hot water supply bath device, to execute or stop the "automatic bath operation", or to execute or stop the "reheating operation". The user carries the auxiliary remote controller 6 and the infrared transmitter 2
The user operates the desired operation switch 21a, 21b, or 21c with 2 pointing at one of the infrared receivers 5, 11.

At this time, in the auxiliary remote controller 3, the operation signal of the operation switch 21 a or 21 b or 21 c is given to the infrared signal generation circuit 25 via the input circuit 24. Then, the infrared signal generation circuit 25 causes the infrared transmitter 22 to output an infrared signal indicating an operation command of the remote control device 3 according to the operated operation switch 21a, 21b, or 21c.

The infrared signal is received by the infrared receivers 5 and 11 to which the infrared transmitter 22 is directed and is converted into an electric signal, which is demodulated by the infrared signal processing circuit 16 of the remote controller 3 into operation command data. After that, it is given to the microcomputer 14.

The microcomputer 14 receiving the operation command data
Determines whether or not to send command information corresponding to the operation command data to the main body controller 1 based on the current operating state information of the hot water supply bath device given from the main body controller 1, and according to the determination result. Perform the required processing.

More specifically, for example, when the user operates the operation switch 21a corresponding to "operation ON / OFF" of the auxiliary remote controller 6, the hot water supply bath is turned off.
When the microcomputer 14 recognizes this from the operation state information from the main body controller 1, the microcomputer 14 of the remote control 3
An audio message such as "ON" is issued by the speaker 12 via the drive circuit 19. In addition, microcomputer 1
4 transmits command information to the effect that the operation of the hot water supply bath apparatus should be turned on to the main body controller 1 via the communication circuit 17.
As a result, the main body controller 1 sets the hot water supply bath device to the ON state (standby state).

Further, another user has already turned on the hot water supply bath device by the remote control device 3 or another remote control device not shown, and the burning operation of the hot water supply burner or the bath burner not shown has been performed. When the microcomputer 14 recognizes this (during operation of the hot water supply bath device) based on the operation state information from the main body controller 1, the microcomputer 14 may, for example, say, "Because it is being used elsewhere.
It cannot be turned off. "
Let me do it. In this case, the microcomputer 14
Does not transmit the command information corresponding to the given operation command data to the main body controller 1.

In this case, for example, the hot water supply bath
After an audio notification of whether or not to switch to the F state is made by the speaker 12, the auxiliary remote controller 6 re-displays "Operation ON / OFF".
When the operation switch 21a related to “OFF” is operated, command information indicating that the hot water supply bath device should be turned off may be transmitted to the main body controller 1 so that the hot water supply bath device is turned off.

Also, even if the hot water supply bath device is already in the ON state, the combustion operation of the hot water supply burner is not performed, and
When the hot water supply bath is in a standby state, the microcomputer 14
Makes the speaker 12 give a voice notification such as "turn off", and transmits command information to the effect that the operation of the hot water supply bath device should be turned off to the main body controller 1 via the communication circuit 17. As a result, the main body controller 1 sets the hot water supply bath device to the OFF state (operation stop state).

Next, for example, the user operates the auxiliary remote controller 6.
When the operation switch 21b corresponding to the "bath automatic operation" is operated, the operation of the device related to the bath of the hot water supply bath device (such as the combustion operation of the bath burner) is not performed (the combustion operation of the hot water burner). May be performed), and when the microcomputer 14 recognizes the fact based on the operation state information from the main body controller 1, the microcomputer 14 of the remote control device 3 performs, for example, "starts hot water filling". The voice notification is made by the speaker 12. Further, the microcomputer 14 is provided with a “bath automatic operation” of the hot water supply bath device.
Is transmitted to the main body controller 1 via the communication circuit 17. Thereby, the main body controller 1 executes the control processing of the automatic bath operation for automatically filling the bathtub with water or boiling it up.

When the operation of the remote control device 3 or the like has already started the operation of the device related to the bath of the hot water supply bath device, and when the microcomputer 14 recognizes that operation, the microcomputer 14 executes, for example, “hot water bath”. Medium. Would you like to turn it off? "
Such an audio notification is made by the speaker 12. When the user of the auxiliary remote controller 6 again operates the operation switch 21 b corresponding to “automatic operation” and the operation command data is given to the microcomputer 14 via the infrared signal processing circuit 16, The microcomputer 14
Sends an audio message such as "turn off" to speaker 1.
2 and the command information to stop the “bath automatic operation” of the hot water supply bath device
Send to As a result, the main body controller 1 stops the control process of “automatic bath operation”.

In this case, for example, a voice notification that "bath automatic operation" cannot be stopped is issued, and the auxiliary remote controller 6
May not be received (command information corresponding to the operation command is not transmitted to the main controller 1).

For example, when the user operates the auxiliary remote controller 6
The process when the operation switch 21c corresponding to the "reheating operation" is operated is performed in the same manner as when the operation switch 21b related to the "automatic bath operation" described above is operated.

As described above, in the remote control system of the present embodiment, by using the portable auxiliary remote control device 6, the user can operate the main functions of the remote control device 3 even from a place remote from the remote control device 3. Remote operation can be performed. And in this case, the auxiliary remote controller 6
Since the infrared signal is transmitted, the configuration of the infrared signal generation circuit 25 and the like can be made smaller and lighter than those using radio waves. In addition, the functions of the auxiliary remote control device 3 are more limited than those of the remote control device 3, and only a few types of main operation modes such as "operation ON / OFF", "automatic bath operation", and "reheating operation" are available. Since the setting can be performed by operating the auxiliary remote controller 6, the configuration of the circuit unit 23 and the housing 20 of the auxiliary remote controller 6 can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, the user can easily carry the auxiliary remote controller 3, and the user can easily use the auxiliary remote controller 6 to remotely control the remote controller 3.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the user operates the auxiliary remote controller 6, the above-mentioned voice notification is made in accordance with the operation, so that the user operates the auxiliary remote controller 6 by himself / herself. Can be surely recognized even at a place remote from the remote control device 3, and the usability of the auxiliary remote control device 6 can be improved.

In this case, the user can visually recognize that the operation of the auxiliary remote control device 6 has been accepted by displaying the lighting of the operation switch 8 of the remote control device 3 together with the sound notification as described above, Alternatively, the user may be made to recognize that the operation of the auxiliary remote controller 6 has been accepted only by visual display.

Next, an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the entire configuration of the remote control system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote control device provided in the remote control system of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, the remote control system according to the present embodiment is a remote control system in a hot water supply bath device (not shown), similar to the above-described embodiment, and a main body that controls the overall operation of the hot water supply bath device. Remote controller 28 connected to controller 26 via communication cable 27
And a plurality of audio receiving units 30 connected to the remote control device 28 via a communication cable 29.

In this case, the installation locations of the main body controller 26, the remote control device 28, and the audio receiving unit 30 are the same as those of the main body controller 1, the remote control device 3, and the infrared receiving unit 5 in the above-described embodiment. The function of the main body controller 26 is completely the same as that of the main body controller 1 in the above-described embodiment.

The remote controller 28 in this embodiment is
An operation unit 33 having a plurality of operation switches 32 is provided on the housing 31 in exactly the same manner as the remote control device 3 of the above-described embodiment.
, A display 34, and a speaker 35, and a remote control device 28 such as a room where the remote control device 28 is installed.
And a voice receiving unit 36 (for example, a microphone) that receives voice uttered at a location relatively close to. The voice receiving unit 36 has the same structure as the plurality of voice receiving units 30, and when receiving a voice, converts the voice into an electrical signal corresponding to the voice and outputs the electrical signal.

The functions of the operation switch 32, the display 34, and the speaker 35 of the operation unit 33 are the same as those of the remote controller 3 in the above-described embodiment.

A circuit unit 37 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided inside the housing 7 of the remote controller 28.

The circuit unit 37 includes a microcomputer 38 (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer 38) and an operation unit 33 connected to the microcomputer 38, as in the above-described embodiment.
An input circuit 39 for inputting operation signal data of the operation switch 32 of the above, and a communication circuit 40 for transmitting and receiving data (the command information and the like) between the microcomputer 38 and the main body controller 26
And drive circuits 41 and 42 for the microcomputer 38 to operate the display 34 and the speaker 35, respectively. Further, the circuit unit 37 is connected to the audio receiving unit 36 provided on the housing 31 of the remote control device 28 via a lead wire or the like, and is connected to the plurality of audio receiving units 30 via a communication cable 29. The audio signal processing circuit 43 is provided.

The audio signal processing circuit 43 generates data representing the content (arrangement of syllables) of the audio from the audio signal supplied from the audio receiving unit 36 or 30, and
To give.

In this case, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 38
Has a speech recognition means 38a as its functional configuration, and the speech recognition means 38a
By analyzing the data given from 3, a predetermined number of predetermined types of operation command voices are identified and recognized as voices for operating the remote controller 38 (hereinafter referred to as operation command voices). . In the present embodiment, among the functions that can be set by operating the remote control device 28 (the same as in the above-described embodiment), for example, “operation ON / OFF”, “automatic bath operation”, and “additional heating” Only the operation command voice relating to "driving" can be recognized by the voice recognition means 38a.

The microcomputer 38 controls the input circuit 1
5 via the communication circuit 40 from the main body controller 26, and the operation signal represented by the operation command data of the operation switch 32 given by the user 5 or the operation command voice recognized by the voice recognition means 38a when the voice is received by the voice receiving unit 36 or 30. The display 34 and the speaker 35 are controlled via the driving circuits 41 and 42, respectively, based on the data of the operating state information of the hot water bath apparatus, a predetermined program and the like, and the main body controller 26 operates the hot water bath apparatus. , Etc., through the communication circuit 40.

Next, the operation of the remote control system of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

The remote control device 28 is remotely operated from a place remote from the remote control device 28 to turn on the operation of the hot water supply bath device.
/ OFF, or the execution or stop of “automatic bath operation”, or the execution or stop of “additional heating operation”, the user is required to perform the pre-determined content corresponding to each operation mode. An operation command voice is issued to one of the voice receiving units 30 and 36.

At this time, the issued operation command sound is received by the sound receiving units 30 and 36 and the sound signal (electric signal)
After that, the audio signal processing circuit 43 generates data representing the content of the operation command voice, and the microcomputer 3
8 given. Then, the microcomputer 38, based on the data of the given operation command sound, outputs the sound receiving units 30 and 3
6 recognizes the type of operation command voice received by voice recognition means 38a.
Recognize by Further, the microcomputer 38 transmits command information corresponding to the recognized operation command voice to the main controller 2.
6 to determine whether or not to send the data, and execute necessary processing according to the result of the determination.

More specifically, for example, an operation instruction sound (for example, a sound such as “remote control ON”) for the user to turn on the hot water supply bath device (standby state) is input to the sound receiving unit 30 or 36. When the hot water supply bath is in the OFF state, the main controller 2
When the microcomputer 38 of the remote control device 28 recognizes from the operation state information from the microcomputer 6, the microcomputer 38 gives an audio notification such as "turn on the operation", for example.
5 Further, the microcomputer 38 transmits command information to the effect that the hot water supply bath device should be turned on to the main body controller 26 via the communication circuit 40. Thereby, main body controller 26 sets the hot water supply bath apparatus to the ON state (standby state).

In this case, if the remote control device 28 or another remote control device (not shown) has already turned on the hot-water supply bath device by another user, the microcomputer 38 executes, for example, “the remote control is already turned on. Yes) "
Such sound notification is made by the speaker 35,
Command information corresponding to the operation command voice is not transmitted to the main body controller 26.

Further, an operation command sound (for example, a sound such as “remote control off”) for the user to turn off the hot-water supply bath apparatus (operation stop state) is output to the sound receiving unit 3.
When input to 0 or 36, the main controller 2 indicates that the combustion operation of the hot water supply burner and the bath burner (not shown) is not being performed (standby state of the hot water supply bath apparatus).
When the microcomputer 38 recognizes from the operating state information from the microcomputer 6, the microcomputer 38 causes the speaker 35 to give an audio notification such as "turn off" and to turn off the operation of the hot water supply bath device. Is transmitted to the main controller 26. As a result, the main body controller 26 sets the hot water supply bath device to the OFF state (operation stop state).

On the other hand, in this case, if the microcomputer 38 recognizes from the operating state information from the main body controller 26 that the combustion operation of the hot water supply burner or the bath burner is being performed (during operation of the hot water supply bath apparatus), , Microcomputer 3
In step 8, the speaker 35 gives an audio notification such as "cannot be turned off because it is being used in another place". Then, in this case, the microcomputer 38 does not transmit the command information to the effect that the hot water supply bath device should be turned off to the main body controller 26.

In this case, for example, the hot water supply bath
After an audio notification of confirmation of whether or not to enter the F state is given by the speaker 35, when an operation command voice for turning off the hot water supply bath is input again, the hot water supply bath
Command information indicating that the hot water supply device should be turned off may be transmitted to the main body controller 1 so that the hot water supply bath device is turned off.

Next, for example, when the user inputs an operation command voice (for example, a voice saying “bath hot water”) for performing “automatic bath operation” to the voice receiving unit 30 or 36, The operation of the device relating to (i.e., the combustion operation of the bath burner, etc.) is not performed (the combustion operation of the hot water supply burner may be performed). Is recognized, the microcomputer 38 causes the speaker 35 to give an audio notification such as "start hot water filling". Further, the microcomputer 38 transmits command information to the effect that “bath automatic operation” of the hot water supply bath apparatus should be executed to the main body controller 26. Thereby, the main body controller 26 executes a control process of the automatic bath operation for automatically filling the bathtub with water or boiling it up.

In this case, when the microcomputer 38 recognizes that the operation of the device related to the bath of the hot water supply bath device has already been performed by operating the remote control device 28 or the like, the microcomputer 38 executes, for example, “bathroom”. Is already being filled with water "by the speaker 35. At this time, the microcomputer 38 does not transmit command information to the effect that “automatic bath operation” should be performed to the main body controller 26.

Further, when the user inputs an operation command voice (for example, a voice of “stopping hot water”) for stopping the “automatic bath operation” to the voice receiving unit 30 or 36, the user enters the bath of the hot water supply bath device. When the microcomputer 38 recognizes from the operation state information from the main body controller 26 that the operation of the related device is being performed (for example, the combustion operation of the bath burner), the microcomputer 38 outputs, for example, “The hot water is being removed. Do you want to do it? ”
5 Then, when the user of the auxiliary remote controller 6 again inputs an operation command voice for stopping the “automatic bath operation”, the microcomputer 38 gives a voice notification such as “turn off” through the speaker 35. At the same time, command information indicating that the “bath automatic operation” of the hot water supply bath device should be stopped is transmitted to the main body controller 26. As a result, the main body controller 26 stops the control process of “automatic bath operation”.

In this case, if the microcomputer 38 recognizes that the “automatic bath operation” has already been stopped by operating the remote controller 28 or the like, the microcomputer 38
For example, the speaker 35 gives an audio notification such as "the bath is not hot water". At this time, the microcomputer 38 does not transmit the command information to the effect that the “automatic bath operation” should be stopped to the main body controller 26.

Further, for example, the processing when the user inputs an operation command voice for executing or stopping the “additional heating” to the voice receiving unit 30 or 36 is the processing related to the above “automatic bath driving”. Is performed in the same manner as

As described above, in the remote control system according to the present embodiment, the user emits a required sound toward the sound receiving unit 30 or 36 so that the user can control the remote control device 28 even from a place remote from the remote control device 28. Remote control of the main functions of is easily performed. And
In this case, the functions of the remote control device 28 that can be operated by voice are smaller than all the functions of the remote control device 28 itself (“operation ON / OFF”, “automatic bath operation”, “additional operation”). Since the operation is limited to the “burning operation”), the type of operation command voice to be recognized by the voice recognition means 38a of the microcomputer 38 can be reduced. Therefore, the pattern of the operation command voice that the microcomputer 38 should store in the ROM or the like is small, and the memory capacity of the microcomputer 38 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the voice notification is made in accordance with the operation command voice issued by the user, the user can actually receive the operation command voice issued by himself / herself as in the above-described embodiment. It is possible to surely recognize whether or not there is a hit.

In this case, in response to the operation command sound issued by the user, the operation command sound is visually accepted by the display of the lighting of the operation switch 32 of the remote control device 28 together with the above-mentioned sound notification. May be recognized by the user, or the user may recognize the reception of the operation command voice only by visual display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a remote control system according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote control device provided in the remote control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an auxiliary remote controller provided in the remote controller system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a remote control system according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a remote control device provided in the remote control system of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 26: body controller, 2, 4, 27, 29: communication cable, 3, 28: remote controller, 5, 11: infrared receiver, 6: auxiliary remote controller, 13, 37: circuit unit, 38a: voice recognition means.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Higuchi 2-26, Fukuzumi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Rinnai Corporation (reference) 3L024 CC06 DD45 EE03 FF02 FF18 5K048 AA04 BA14 CA08 DA05 DB04 DC01 DC04 EA11 EB02 EB14 FB08 FB11 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA13 HA23

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A main controller for controlling operation of a device, and a remote controller connected to the main controller via a communication cable and outputting command information for defining an operation state of the device to the main controller by a predetermined operation. In a remote control system comprising: a portable auxiliary remote control device for outputting an infrared signal representing an operation command of the remote control device by a predetermined operation; and the remote control device for receiving the infrared signal output from the auxiliary remote control device An infrared receiver provided in connection with the circuit unit of the main body controller, wherein the circuit unit of the remote control device transmits the command information corresponding to an operation command represented by an infrared signal received by the infrared receiver to the main body controller. A remote control system characterized in that it is configured to output to a remote controller. 2. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said infrared receiving section is connected to a circuit unit of said remote control device via a communication cable so as to be installable at a place separated from said remote control device. . 3. The command information that can be output from the remote controller to the main controller has a plurality of types, and the infrared signal that can be output by the auxiliary remote controller is a predetermined one of the plurality of types of command information. The remote control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remote control system is an infrared signal representing an operation command for causing the main body controller to output a specific type of command information from the remote control device. 4. A circuit unit of the remote control device, comprising: means for recognizing an operation state of the device; and output of the command information according to the operation command by the auxiliary remote control device based on the recognized operation state. The remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: means for determining whether or not to execute the remote control. 5. A main body controller for controlling operation of a device, and a remote control device connected to the main body controller via a communication cable and outputting command information for defining an operation state of the device to the main body controller by a predetermined operation. A remote control system comprising: a voice receiving unit connected to a circuit unit of the remote control device to receive voice; and an operation command of the remote control device among voices received by the voice receiving unit. Voice recognition means provided in the circuit unit to identify and recognize voice, the circuit unit of the remote control device,
A remote control system configured to, when the voice recognition unit recognizes a voice representing an operation command of the remote control device, output the command information corresponding to the operation command represented by the recognized voice to the main body controller. 6. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein said audio receiving unit is connected to a circuit unit of said remote control device via a communication cable so as to be installable at a place separated from said remote control device. . 7. The command information that can be output from the remote controller to the main body controller has a plurality of types, and the voice recognizable by the voice recognition means is a predetermined specific type of the plurality of types of command information. 7. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the command information is a voice for outputting the command information from the remote control device to the main body controller. 8. A circuit unit of the remote control device, comprising: means for recognizing an operation state of the device; and the command corresponding to an operation command represented by the voice recognized by the voice recognition means based on the recognized operation state. Means for determining whether or not to execute output of information.
8. The remote control system according to any one of items 7 to 7.